Report called on news item alleging "sterilization" of Sinhala Buddhist women

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed Parliament today that he would call for a report on a news item that had appeared in a national newspaper today claiming that a doctor who was a member of the National Thowheed Jamath had 'sterilized' 4000 Sinhala Buddhist women during caesarean section while delivering their first child.

By Sandun Jayawardana

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed Parliament today that he would call for a report on a news item that had appeared in a national newspaper today claiming that a doctor who was a member of the National Thowheed Jamath had 'sterilized' 4000 Sinhala Buddhist women during caesarean section while delivering their first child.

The contents of the news report, which had appeared in a Sinhala language national newspaper, was raised by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Parliament. He questioned as to whether any investigation was indeed being conducted over the matter and if police were looking to arrest the doctor, as claimed by the paper.

"I checked with both the IGP and Heads of intelligence agencies on this matter after I saw the news item. They all informed me they were unaware of such an incident and no probe was ongoing," the Speaker told Mr Dissanayaka.  

The JVP Leader questioned as to whether the probe was then being conducted by the owners of the newspaper. "This is a serious matter and liable to inflame tensions. We may have a situation where Muslim doctors will be targeted over such stories. The Government should urgently clarify this," he added. 

The Speaker said he had been informed the matter will also be discussed at the National Security Council meeting and said he expected a detailed report will be made available to Parliament tomorrow on the allegations in the news item.